Senator Tim Bivins says the Fiscal Year 2008 budget passed May 31 has some good points, but the way it was handled is a terrible disservice to Illinois taxpayers.

"Having developed and lived within a budget for 20 years, I am aghast at this process,” Senator Bivins said. “We don’t see most of the numbers for the budget until just a few hours before the vote is called. This is a disservice, not just to lawmakers, but also to the public.”

The 45th District Senator said the $59 billion budget increases spending at a time when the state is not meeting its current obligations, and starts the fiscal year with a revenue shortfall of more than $2 billion.

“The budget is fiscally irresponsible. We keep adding programs without meeting our current obligations. We need to do a better job at paying our bills before expanding our spending,” Senator Bivins said.

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Senate Republicans were not allowed any input into the budget, so most of them voted against it.

“We heard a lot about working together and working across the aisle,” Senator Bivins said. “Even though I have a great deal of respect for my Democrat counterparts, our side was completely cut out of the budget process. How can I vote for something when I am not allowed to see what’s in it?”

Legislative leaders met with the Governor in Chicago June 5 to continue discussions on the budget and a capital improvement construction program for roads, bridges, schools and other public facilities. Little progress was made during the meeting, but additional talks are expected in the coming week.

If the current budget talks prove fruitless, members of the General Assembly could find themselves back at the Capitol in yet another overtime session. Just last year, legislative overtime lasted until late August before a budget was approved.